The young ladies who sneakily watched the young masters from their carriages, too shy to come out, ran out to congratulate their favored winners, unconcerned that this was a public place.
Members of the Yellow team sought solace from the girls they liked.
The Red team, triumphant, went together to a restaurant to celebrate and invited the ladies to join them.
Comforted by the ladies, members of the Yellow team had no interest in continuing the conversation with them and went back to their carriages to change clothes, then looked for other entertainment?
The field began to empty, and as the competition ended, people started to disperse.
"Tang Shunyan, why don’t we go have some fun?"
A companion by Tang Shunyan’s side suggested, having seen others play, they also wanted to get moving.
The other brothers chimed in, evidently feeling a bit restless.
"You want us to play in these clothes?"
Tang Shunyan was tempted but did not want to dirty his clothes, as today’s schedule did not include playing games.
He liked to plan his schedule meticulously.
That was a habit cultivated by his family; he had no interest in purposeless leisure.
On this rare day off, he felt somewhat disinclined to move; it seemed like today was the only day in the whole year he didn’t have to practice martial arts.
"It’s okay, we always store some things and clothes in the carriage when we go out."
Tang Xiyue actually really wanted to join in the game; that was his intention for coming out today, and he had even arranged for clothes to be placed in the carriage.
The others had the same idea and performed similar preparations, all nodding and looking at Tang Shunyan, hoping he would agree.
"You all have clothes, but I don’t."
Tang Shunyan actually had no intention of playing ball when he came out, and as for whether his companions had prepared clothes for him in the carriage, he truly had no idea.
"Our builds are similar, I have spare clothes in my carriage."
Tang Xiyue seized the opportunity and, along with the other companions, kept persuading him.
Tang Shunyan remained shaking his head, making his brothers feel a bit disappointed; they really wanted to leave him behind and have fun on their own.
But it didn’t feel right to abandon a brother, and they remembered that their outing was not for playing ball.
Qiu Xia wanted to remind the young master that whenever he went out, she would always prepare clothes for him, especially this time when he was going to the lake; she worried about a sudden downpour or his clothes getting wet on such a cold day – how could she not have prepared clothes?
Watching the young master continually refuse, both she and Chunxiang didn’t dare to speak up.
The Attendant Student who followed Tang Shunyan had learned to read the room; knowing the young master’s reluctance, he pretended ignorance of what he knew.
In the end, everyone was unable to persuade Tang Shunyan, if only because he said,
"I’ve heard there’s delicious seafood by the lake and the famous ’Tingzai’ porridge. It’s already noon now; you can continue playing here, but I’m going to take my people there to taste those delicacies. We won’t be going back to the estate for lunch today!"
Though they were rich young masters, the ones who heard his words were still just growing boys.
They had eaten well before setting out, and it had already been an hour since then, time for lunch, a fact they had forgotten in their eagerness to play.
Now, hearing about delicious food, they felt differently – they wanted to play, but they needed to eat well first!
Tang Shunyan smiled secretly, the corners of his mouth curling upwards. They were all foodies; if they knew that in two days he would go to the Ye family for some delectable food, would these foodies follow him?
The second day of the New Year, which was tomorrow, was traditionally the day his mother would visit her family.
However, since they lived a bit far, he would only accompany his mother to his maternal grandparents’ house on his external grandmother’s birthday to celebrate in the Imperial Capital.
Just like his grandmother, who would normally visit her family on this day, but with so many New Year’s preparations, a visit might take several days; some household duties could be delayed and prevent the trip.
Tang Shunyan knew even more so that his family was on guard against any significant events.
In previous years, they had not left, and on the second day of the New Year, they would host guests at home.
This year, Tang Shunyan was aware of another matter: his official father was away, and they were waiting for another official’s arrival.
Tang Shunyan hoped that in the future, he wouldn’t have a capricious lady clinging to him.
At this moment, Tang Shunyan was unaware that tomorrow’s plan would still be to go to the Imperial Capital, and once gone, it would be for several days.
A few young masters boarded the carriage, heading for the lakeside in the suburbs.
This lake in the suburbs was not the only place for leisure in the county.
But it had an appealing name – Yuewang Lake – and the construction of this lake was reportedly sponsored.
Beyond featuring art studios, where people engaged in singing and dancing for fun, it was also a rendezvous spot for lovers.
Of course, it also served as a dating spot, where one could quietly come to have fun with others.
On this festive day, which was rain-free and full of joy, the place was bustling with activity.
Beyond those conducting business and selling food, various toys and items were for sale.
Some even organized hoopla games for entertainment.
There were stands with cork guns to shoot balloons, and small traders selling playful knick-knacks.
There were also boys and girls selling flowers, their attention focused on the young masters and ladies.